Kyoto University


Practical Data Science for Public Policy Making:

1. Introduction



Naoki TANI

Center for Advanced Policy Studies (CAPS)
Institute of Economic Research, Kyoto University
Ministry of Finance
April 11, 2024

Overview

  • This is a course for Master's students at Kyoto University.
  • The course provides some commonly used methods in Applied Econometrics and Computational Economics.
  • Furthermore, it also focuses on application of the methods to practical problems in a regional government: students will participate in the joint research project with Kochi prefecture.
  • Through the lectures, you need to obtain a scientific way of thinking to solve social problems in governments and private sectors.

About me

Ministry of Finance (since 2014)¶

  • Policy Planning and Research Division,Minister's Secretariat (government digital transformation etc.).
  • International Negotiations Division, Customs and Tariff Bureau (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership(CPTPP), Japan-U.S. Economic Dialogue, and Japan-U.S. Trade Agreement etc.).
  • Coordination Division and Legal Division, Budget Bureau (Special Law to issue Special Deficit-Financing Bonds etc.).

Kyoto University (since 2022)¶

  • Research Center for Advanced Policy Studies (CAPS), Institute of Economic Research.
  • Studying firm dynamics and income inequality from the perspectives of international trade and spatial economics.

Objectives

  • Students will acquire not only statistical skills for data analysis but also comprehensive skills necessary for career success: coordination, persuasion, and communication skills.

  • Specifically, the course participants will present their results in a seminar in Kochi Prefecture and receive feedback from policymakers from the practical aspects.

Joint Research Project with Kochi Prefecture

Signing ceremony of the partnership agreement with the Governor of Kochi Prefecture Hamada Seiji

In [8]:
Image(filename="ceremony.png", height=600, width=800)
Out[8]:

Kochi Shimbun's news (September 23, 2023)

In [9]:
Image(filename="news.png", height=600, width=800)
Out[9]:

Materials

  • All the course materials are available on Github repository (https://github.com/Naoki-Tani/Practical_Data_Science_for_Public_Policy_Making).

  • The materials are written inside notebooks and markdown files (usually in slide/).

  • Tutorial files (in tutorial/) are expected to be run and filled by students.

Setup requirement

  • You should use your laptops to engage in tutorials.
  • You need to install Python and Jupyter Lab.
  • Easy instructions are given in the following URLs.
    • Python: https://www.python.org/downloads/
    • Jupyte Lab: https://jupyterlab.readthedocs.io/en/stable/getting_started/installation.html

Grading

  • Mini exams (30%)

  • Take-home exam (30%)

  • Group presentation (40%)